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FAQ

This page provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about vehicle maintenance and service. We've thrown in some of our favorite tips and recommendations, too. Please call us or consult our "Contact Us" page for answers to your specific questions. We are happy to assist you!

Vehicle Maintenance

Many parts on your vehicle are interrelated. Ignoring maintenance can lead to trouble: specific parts, or an entire system, can fail. Neglecting even simple routine maintenance, such as changing the oil or checking the coolant, can lead to poor fuel economy, unreliability, or costly breakdowns. It also may VOID your warranty. Properly maintaining your vehicle is less expensive than repairs from negligence.

As a vehicle owner you should know about the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. In 1975 the US Congress passed the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act – a federal law that governs consumer product warranties. Among other things Congress wanted to ensure that consumers could get complete and straight forward information about warranty terms and conditions. In short the Magnuson-Moss Act gives you these rights. Generally your vehicle manufacturer’s warranty CAN NOT require you to return to your auto dealer for vehicle maintenance – or to use only the brand of replacement parts offered by that dealer. By law your vehicle’s manufacturer’s warranty will stay in effect when you have regularly scheduled maintenance performed using product that meet or exceed the manufacturers requirement for warranty.
Long story short in simple terms if the dealer requires you to use them and their parts they must provide the parts FREE of charge to you.

When you first start your car all the dashboard lights come on as a safety test. These lights will go off when the test is complete. If your light comes on later you need to have it checked by a competent technician familiar with modern diagnostic procedures. This could be a simple problem, but left alone it may result in an expensive repair. Don’t ignore this warning.

Modern engines have long abandoned the carburetor with its many parts destined for failure in favor of simple and direct electronic injection of fuel. No longer are we shackled with the necessity of constant adjustment or repair to the carburetor. A properly maintained fuel delivery system today offers much improved reliability and efficiency than those systems of old. Millions of cars today run at a level of efficiency considerably reduced, due to the high concentration of carbon deposits accumulated in the fuel injection system, intake valves, combustion chambers, oxygen sensor and catalytic converter. Carbon build-up clogs fuel filters, reduces fuel flow, distorts fuel spray patterns, limits fuel distribution and decreases combustion efficiency. Carbon build-up gradually robs your vehicle of performance and fuel economy, and may cause numerous problems such as engine malfunction, high emissions, excessive fuel consumption, loss of performance, rough idling and hard starts. Simply infusing an additive into a gas tank will not adequately decarbonize injectors, cylinder heads, valves, intake plenums, exhaust emission sensors, and other critical components. A 2 part system will clean the entire fuel system to help restore power and fuel economy back to your vehicle and put money back in your pocket.

Fluids are the lifeline of your vehicle. All fluids have two jobs; to lubricate and remove heat. As fluids break down due to age and wear they lose the ability to lubricate and remove heat. As heat rises and lubrication fails, parts break. Changing the fluid at the manufacturer recommended interval ensure years of hassle free use.

There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the "check engine" light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issue addressed to prevent long-term problems.

Maintenance is done to prevent any future problems from occurring to the vehicle. Safety is to prevent any incident that would cause damage to the vehicle, to you or to the driver who is driving next to you.

It is a good idea to have your coolant checked to determine its freezing and boiling points to verify whether it needs to be changed. Have your air conditioner tested before the summer heats up, it is cheaper to fix before the season gets started.

Fluids Leaks

You can identify fluids by their color and consistency: • Yellowish green, pastel blue or florescent orange colors indicate an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak caused by a bad hose, water pump or leaking radiator. • A dark brown or black oily fluid means the engine is leaking oil. A bad seal or gasket could cause the leak. • A red oily spot indicates a transmission or power-steering fluid leak. A puddle of clear water usually is no problem. It may be normal condensation from your vehicle's air conditioner.

The coloring of the liquid identifies the type of liquid. Coolant Fluid is orange or green, Engine fluid is Brown or Black, Transmission Fluid is Red or Pink, Power Steering Fluid is Light Brown, Differential Fluid- Brown. depending on the leak it could mean trouble, don't wait until it's too late! Stop by American Lube Express and let us take a look at no charge to you.

Oil Change

Most car manufacturers say to change your oil every 7,500 miles unless you drive in severe conditions. Severe conditions are defined as dirty or dusty roads, extremely hot or cold climates, a lot of stop and go driving, taking long trips or if you tow a trailer. If you answer yes to any of the severe driving conditions, your vehicle falls into the severe conditions category, or the 3,000 mile oil change interval. This does not include every make or model of car. Ultimately go by what your owners manual recommends. If you can not find it stop by American Lube Express and we will be glad to help you find the drain interval for your vehicle.

You should get your oil changed every 3000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Do notice that your owners manual has 2 type of driving conditions (normal and sever) make sure you are going by the driving conditions that best fit your habits.

Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (other gasket), a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional technician quickly.

Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines, vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), or vehicles that are operated in extremely cold or hot climates. Synthetic motor oils, though more expensive than mineral-based motor oils, can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes. It is not uncommon for synthetics to go 3 times as far as conventional oil.